American Swan Bronzed Audubon Number 5

by Aberjhani

Title

American Swan Bronzed Audubon Number 5

Artist

Aberjhani

Medium

Mixed Media - Fine Art + Digital Painting + Photography

Description

The inspiration for this fifth canvas in THE BIRDS OF A BRONZED AUDUBON FEATHER collection was drawn from naturalist John James Audubon’s (1785-1851) illustration “Common American Swan.” In his notes on the bird, Audubon observed the following: “Even when wing-broken, these birds can swim with great rapidity, and if not otherwise hurt, a single oarsman in the best constructed boat can rarely overtake them.” Meaning those he observed were as resilient as they were beautiful.

Although it incorporates elements of Audubon’s original work, my AMERICAN SWAN artwork is very different from his many obvious ways. To begin, Audubon’s canvas is that of a single white swan in a very natural waterscape setting with land and sky in the distance. My canvas is composed of 4 panels. These include: a bronzed version of the 19th century original, a black and white profile section of the same, and two bronzed abstract panels. All of these together, for me, symbolize the way a sing powerful creative idea can express itself through different forms and styles from one century to the next. What someone sees or does not see in the abstract components of the artwork depends on the individual.

NOTE ON SERIES:
The 4-volume set of books by John James Audubon (1785-1851) known as BIRDS OF AMERICA (1827-1838) is often considered the greatest such work by an ornithologist ever published. Included within the volumes were 435 hand-colored engravings of 1,065 birds representing 489 species. What a lot of people might not know about the illustrations presented in Audubon’s treasured collection is that many of the final images were the result of engravings and water-colorings created by other artists like English-born Robert Havell, Jr. (1793-1878) and Scotsman Joseph Bartholomew Kidd (1808-1889). Havell befriended Audubon while working on the book in England and later moved to America.

Havell’s and Kidd’s names are important to note in connection with my BIRDS OF A BRONZED AUDUBON FEATHER SERIES because they demonstrate how Audubon’s phenomenal work inspired recreations of it by other visual artists even while he lived almost 200 years ago. Because Audubon’s original works still stand well enough on their own, my goal with the Birds of a Bronzed Audubon Feather series is to create modern visual interpretations which pay tribute to his visionary artistry. Those interested can read more about my explorations of his life and legacy at my Bright Skylark Literary Productions website.

Aberjhani

Uploaded

December 1st, 2022

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